Mexico Arrests Two Suspects For Murder Of Malcolm X Grandson

posted 13 May 2013, 15:46 by Mpelembe
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updated 13 May 2013, 15:47
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Mexican authorities arrest two suspects in connection with the death of Malcolm Shabazz, the grandson of famed activist Malcolm X.

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (MAY 13, 2013) (REUTERS) - Authorities in Mexico City have arrested two men in connection with the beating murder of the grandson of U.S. civil rights leader Malcolm X, Malcolm Shabazz, officials reported.

According to authorities, Shabazz, 29, died of blunt-trauma injuries early on Thursday (May 09) morning. He was at a bar in a run-down area of Mexico City with immigration activist Miguel Suarez.

At a news conference in the capital, Mexico City's Attorney General Rodolfo Fernando Rios said two waiters at the bar had been arrested for the murder of Malcolm X's grandson.

Shabazz, Suarez strayed into Palace, a karaoke bar-cum-brothel, away from the capital's main tourist drag. Police say they drank beer in the club and media reports said they then clashed with management over a $1,200 bar tab.

Shabazz's body is expected to be flown back to the United States in the coming days.

"So far the body has not been claimed. The family is not going to come to Mexico City. They have been in contact with the (U.S.) embassy and a consul who has initiated contact with Mexico City's Attorney General in order to claim the body," said Rios.

Fights at Mexico City strip clubs are fairly frequent. Booze-fuelled patrons who buy drinks for the women working in the clubs can find themselves confronted with staggering bills they cannot pay.

Shabazz's murder took place near Plaza Garibaldi, a popular tourist area where Mariachi music groups play on the streets amid seedy strip clubs, dive bars and bordellos.

Despite its proximity to the city's grand colonial centre, the area is infamous for petty crime.

It was a seedy end for Shabazz, who spent years in juvenile detention after being convicted of manslaughter and arson for the fire that killed his grandmother Betty Shabazz, Malcolm X's widow.

Malcolm X was an outspoken leader of the Nation of Islam and is also known by his Muslim name, El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz. He was shot to death in 1965 at a speaking engagement in New York and three men were convicted of the murder.